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That’s the opening phrase of a soliloquy that enthralled the whole world till now. The most famous line of all-time starring Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy written by the great William Shakespeare. This classical drama has been upholding the English literature up till the 21st century. If we take a deeper look at the soliloquy, Hamlet is basically contemplating suicide on and off throughout the whole play.

To be or not to be?

Hamlet’s question made him compare death to sleep. He wonders if it’s better to put up with all the awful things happening around him in his life than to run off into death willingly. Does death bring peace upon every soul? Those who choose to end their life willingly will be transported to heaven via express delivery? Even thinking about the unknowns and the whereabouts of death makes cowards of us all. Because none traveled back from death – heaven or hell, to tell us how being dead feels like. Back on track, Hamlet’s Big Question is not about him being depressed over his father’s death and his mother’s disgusting act and eventually contemplating suicide. Hamlet is exploring the true meaning of life and death. Notwithstanding, instead of possessed by the thoughts of suicide, Hamlet starts exploring the reasons why humans don’t commit suicide. But if we happened to come across this phrase today, it got nothing to do with life, death or even philosophy. Nope! today we use it to mean all kinds of things like a punch line in cartoons, Facebook and WhatsApp statues and even printed it on t-shirts and mugs. This pretty much exemplifies what life is – temporal and fleeting.

Yeah, Return If Possible, that was my first thought when I read the devastating news. We have lost yet another great storyteller in the history of time – a tremendous and profound loss to the world. Definitely, you’ll be missed but not forgotten Anthony Bourdain!

Bourdain had an incredibly seasoned life. Surviving life as a line cook in a kitchen of not so famous restaurant to a bad boy chef circumnavigating the globe in search for the finest cuisines, by hosting an ambitious Travel Channel Project – No Reservation. Well, I’m a Bourdain devotee. Of course, it’s pretty obvious, wasn’t it? No sane soul would dedicate their time to write about a man who barely… oh wait! He doesn’t even know about my existence till he was alive. Yet, my innocent soul doesn’t need any proclamation for this infinite bonding, virtually.

If the truth was said, I would say that it’s not just me who is his fanatic but my entire nucleus family should be included in that list too. I got to know about Anthony Bourdain through my mom. You know… Asians moms always have the television remote control at the ready to tune into cooking shows or cooking documentaries but ended up preparing the same menu for meals. But in rare cases, there would be some sighting, smelling and eating you have to endure if your mom decides to try something new. At first, I was forced to watch the show as the golden key was under my mom’s control and as time flies… without consciousness… I got hooked up.

Somewhat, many would know Anthony Bourdain as a renown chef and television host. But, outside of his adventurous cooking, hosting and travelling groove, he was an abounding writer. At first, I regarded him as a cool cook dude who hosts a cooking show, and gets paid for eating and travelling the globe. Okay! Don’t judge the 10-year-old me – it was a few years back. But, somehow I came across one of his magnificent writing – Kitchen Confidential, which revolves around the commercial kitchens and depicts the intense and hazardous workplace beyond its surface. Bourdain’s artistic approach towards his writing made the common man to acknowledge and sense the art of cooking. And according to Bourdain, this agonizing workplace is no place for hobbyists and those entered this industry will be obviated without ferocity, dedication and passion towards cooking. The gruesome behind – the – scene epics that took place around the typical restaurant kitchens were perfectly crafted for audience’s view with a simpler language made this book and him unique.

And out of millions of snaps, this would be my favourite of all time. Two legendary personalities on a low plastic stool, chit-chatting while enjoying cold Hanoi beer. What a day to remember! Well, the pair’s visit was seriously a big deal to the owner. Oh, trust me! When I say it’s a big deal – it’s such a big deal. Yup! The owner decided to encase their table and it’s setting, right down to the beer bottle, which will usually be ended up in the dumpster, not in this case. The remnants of their meal were preserved and encased in glass alongside with the pair’s picture. So, if you’re planning for a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam don’t forget to drop by to click some good picture.

Anthony Bourdain’s passing made people from all over the world to mourn. A tremendous loss to the world. May he find peace up there! We weren’t there when he needed someone. But no worries! Now he is in a safe hand! But remember, you don’t decide your own expiry date as it was already printed on you when you were manufactured – safe and sealed! Hahaha!

I do understand everything. I mean everything. You might think that I don’t, but actually, I do. I understand that you’re not like the others. I meant the typical guys. But you’re different and rare. If the truth was told, I would say that you’re a gift of God. Your introvert charm is extremely intoxicating and my eyes fell a prey for that soul-soothing eyes of yours. Perhaps, that’s the reason why I avoid having eye contact with you, as I might drown myself in those innocent eyes of yours.

I don’t blame you, Sugar! It was my mistake! Solely mine!

I wish I could go back and never have met you. But, I can’t. You know why? Because I don’t remember when I first saw you or even when my eyes and heart fell for you. Of course, it’s not love at first sight. I mean, crush at first sight. I would say that my affection formed gradually. Initially, it was just an admiration and respect towards you, but somehow, I lost control of myself. Your passion, your commitment, your personalities and not forgetting your hair, have enthralled me. And importantly, You attain maturity! You speak a plainer language! And you had me at Your impeccable metaphorical sense and Your greater simplicity. Although you weren’t the focal point of the crowd, your presence was always felt. You know why? Because You’re like the wind! You can’t be seen but truly can be felt – maybe not by everyone. Well, my affection for you is depraved and unreasonable. Yet, my affection for you is not your problem. It’s mine.

And I don’t blame you, Sugar! It was my mistake!

Again! If the truth was told, I will say that you’re a Rubik cube. A wonderful puzzle that seems to be impossible to solve at the first glance. But, it takes a lot of courage and patience and even hard work to solve it. Still, what’s the point of solving the Rubik cube? If the Rubik cube is solved, then it would just be a normal toy that will be placed in a display glass. You’re not something that can be solved by me or anyone else. Because you can’t be solved and I don’t want to solve you either. But, I won’t stop trying to solve. And that’s not your mistake too.

I don’t blame you, Sugar!

I understand that you don’t open up easily. And I know that you build majestic walls around you. Quite lots of them. And not forgetting the door that has been kept closed for a long time – full of spider webs and dust. Certainly, I don’t blame you for that. Because I don’t know what you have gone through in your life. Trust me! That door and that wall are no good for you, Sugar. Just felt like telling it. Bear in mind that someday, somehow, someone is gonna knock that door so hard until you can’t resist and The Great Wall of Yours will errand, brick by brick due to her tenderness. But, it’s just the matter of time. Tick Tock! Tick Tock! You can’t keep hiding from reality no matter how hard it slaps you in the face and it’s totally inevitable. And by the time you realise it. There won’t be any knocks at the door. It will be gone before you even realize it. So, why don’t you build a bridge instead? Practically, that solely depends on you and I truly respect your decisions and your stance.

I hate small talks, Sugar. I crave for big talks, and I yearn to know every inch of you beyond the surface. My thirst for your words and depth can’t be satisfied. And Your sweetness draws me to you. You captured my heart because you sing a song that only my heart can hear. As a matter of fact, I believe that you’ll be the Sun that nourishes the flower – her passion, ambition and dream. Buckle up, Sugar. You might experience a magical carpet ride. When I say, magical carpet ride, do expect some turbulence because the weather is always unpredictable. After all, I’m just gonna categorize you under a crush because you’re impossibly beyond my reach and if telling you how I feel will strain what we have built till now – a friendship, I will rather hold my feelings forever than to lose you.

I find it hard to tell you how I feel and perhaps it’s even more challenging to know what you feel. So, I’m just gonna stay silent and let my words express those to you B.B!

Well, life is full of whimsical happenings and it takes a lot of courage to encounter that. After all, we can’t gratify the beauty of the rainbow without a little rain – sometimes the storms turn out to be free gifts. So buckle up peepz!

Millions of thanks to my mother – Vasanthi Veloo and my lovable aunt – Tamil Selvi Veloo for bringing the best out of me. And not forgetting the Iron Lady who encouraged my thirst for success – Malarvily Peachemuthu.

It’s an honor to dedicate this to the gifts of the God, – all the Mommies out there!

Mothers are like flowers – each beautiful and special. And by plucking her petals you don’t gather the beauty of the flower! Bear that in your mind Kiddies!